This gorgeous butterfly was observed and photographed at Rackensack Wash,
Maricopa Co., AZ, USA. The image is copyrighted by Pete Moulton. Notice the
clear blue centers to the eyespots on the hindwings. These are fast fliers that
are more easily approached when taking nectar as this one is from
Dakota Mock Vervain (Glandularia pinnatifida).

Nymphalidae -- Brush-footed Butterfly Family

Like other members of the butterfly genus Vanessa, the West Coast Lady
sometimes migrates many hundreds of kilometers. As the name implies, its center
of abundance is along the Pacific Coast of the United States. The caterpillars
are known to use a variety of plants including
mallows. It is much less common in the Sonoran Desert that the similar
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).